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EC attendances continue on a high level and I would like to thank staff who work so tirelessly to serve our community so well. Clearly the provider arm cannot keep working under this pressure forever. With winter just starting we are already under pressure This is the reason why programmes such as 20,000 days and Achieving a Balance are so important to ensure we are able to continue improving our services and take on board the challenges of population growth. We need to give back to our community at least 20,000 healthy days a year, instead of being admitted to hospital.. This is combined with initiatives such as Primary Options for Acute Care, Advance Care Planning, locality planning and all of the other things we are doing to give our community more and better options for health care outside of the hospital.

Our efforts to improve our community’s health is still imperative and challenging, even though Vote Health received the largest increase in Government spending in the last budget. This increase designed to help fund cost pressures and new initiatives in 2012 and 2013. This funding includes an extra $1.5 billion nationally for public health services over the next 4 years and includes $358 million of new money for health and some money being saved from pharmaceutical spending.

This funding is earmarked for;

• $33 million for better, faster cancer treatment, including dedicated cancer nurses to support patients through the course of their treatment.

• $16 million to speed up diagnostic tests for patients.

• $48 million for more and faster elective surgery.

• $20.5 million to strengthen maternity services and boost PlunketLine and WellChild services.

• $133 million to improve services and access for people with disabilities.

• $28 million to provide free after-hours doctors’ visits for under-sixes.

• $12 million to provide more support services for older people.

• $40 million for increased dementia services.

• Increased funding to train more GPs, initially $864,000 rising to $1.8 million in 2014/15.

• $1 million for organ donation.

Clearly the Government’s objectives are aligned with ours in term of reducing the increasing pressures on public hospitals and this extra funding will be vital investment. However, it does not mean that we can afford

to relax our own DHB efforts. Please keep checking out my weekly blog for progress on how we are doing.

I would especially like to congratulate the people who have helped us achieve such sterling results in the National Health Targets. For one of the country’s largest DHBs to consistently be a top performer is no mean feat. I would also like to make special mention of our Child, Youth and Maternity team, National Immunisation Register team and our primary care partners including WellChild/Tamariki Ora who have achieved a stunning 95.3% immunisation rate of children fully immunised at 2 years of age. This is the sort of effort that makes our DHB so special, so thank you!

And on the subject of immunisation, anyone working with babies or children needs to be up-to-date with their pertussis immunisation, given that we are in the middle of an epidemic. At the moment we are offering to vaccinate or reimburse staff for the cost of a pertussis booster which is available from OSH or usual primary care provider. Contact OSH on ext 8142 for details.

Best Wishes,

Geraint A Martin

CEO, CMDHB

From the CEO

June 2012

Welcome to the June issue of Connect. It’s hard to believe we are almost halfway through the year and winter is now here.

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Meet the board

In each issue of Connect we will profile two board members so that you can get to know them better.

Sandra Alofivae*Ms Alofivae was appointed to the Board in December 2010 following a six year term as a Commissioner with the Families Commission.

She graduated with a law degree in 1989 and has practiced as a lawyer in the Auckland region with a particular emphasis in South Auckland for the last 20 years.

Ms Alofivae grew up in Mangere and has strong ties to the local community through the Presbyterian Church and her work in the voluntary sector.

She is currently a member of the Community Response Model Auckland South Forum.

Having represented the needs and interests of children and young people over the years, what is startlingly clear is the success of our city and our nation depends on the state of health and education of our communities.

Her interests lie in contributing to strengthen the system to ensure that CMDHB continues to provide an excellent health system especially to those in vulnerable communities.

In 1995 she was bestowed an honorific title by her family in the village of Sa’anapu, Samoa.

Frank Solomon*MA (Hons), Dip Ed, Dip Tchg, NCALE. Ngatiporou, Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa

Frank has had more than forty years in education in a wide range of positions, many in senior management - Principal of two secondary schools, Polytechnic Executive and Board member.

Eight years on the Board of Te Mangai Paho The Maori Funding Broadcasting Agency. Frank has had extensive involvement in community organisations. He is a Trustee on the Youth Mentoring Network.

Currently Managing Director, Solomon Group Education and Training Academy, a Maori Private Training Establishment which offers training to unemployed in Literacy Numeracy and Personal development with facilities at Manurewa and Panmure.

Solomon Group runs the Counties Manukau Youth Transition Service focusing on 16 - 19 year old disengaged youth, is a member of the Waikato Tainui Whanau Ora Project and a member of the CMDHB “Grow Your Own” and “Panmure Transformation” projects. Solomon Group has been the recipient of a number of national and regional Business Awards. * Ministerial appointment

School-Based ClinicsCounties Manukau District Health Board established an Alliance Forum to respond to the Ministry Request for Tender (RFT) for the development of throat swabbing services, promoting awareness of Rheumatic Fever and service coordination. As a result the Child Health Alliance Forum- Counties Manukau was established to lead, plan and coordinate a response to the RFT and subsequently if successful, establish a Rheumatic Fever Prevention Programme.

On behalf of the Child Health Alliance Forum- Counties Manukau, the National Hauora Coalition submitted the response to the RFT and as a result has been awarded a contract with the Ministry of Health to provide sore throat swabbing services in Counties Manukau. The model of service delivery is via nurse led school based clinics in areas of high need, over a four year period. The “clusters” of schools in geographical locations have been identified and the first cluster of school based clinics will commence in July 2012. There will be a total of 14 school based clinics in place by June 30th 2013.

The clinical network responsible for the development of the Child Health Implementation Plan within the Northern Regional Health Services Plan (NRHSP) has recommended that Counties Manukau lead the region in the implementation of

throat swabbing services in school based clinics.In addition to undertaking the throat swabbing

and treatment of Group A streptococcal infection for rheumatic fever prevention as outlined above the school based clinics will also address other important causes of hospitalisations, morbidity and mortality for primary school aged children as well as their siblings. It is intended that a whole whaanau approach would be taken with the nurse and the whaanau support worker working with families to address their health needs, including facilitating access to other resources that impact on health outcomes.

Skin infectionsThe assessment treatment and management of skin infections for children aged 5- 14 years will be available through the school based clinics. Any siblings identified with skin infections will also be treated. There will be a comprehensive health promotion package delivered in schools that will improve health knowledge around prevention, recognition and treatment of skin infections. This approach is endorsed by the NRHSP, however for all children in Counties Manukau we will be supporting the implementation of clinical pathways for the spectrum of skin infections, cellulitis and abscesses in both primary and secondary care.

Sue Miller, Senior Portfolio Manager, Child Youth and Maternity

Response to rheumatic fever and skin infections

Kiwi Health Jobs was launched in March 2011 as a joint initiative between the 20 District Health Boards and NZ Blood Service. It provides a one-stop shop for people looking for jobs within the public health sector, taking candidates directly to the employer. It currently receives over 10,000 visitors each month to the site with the Kiwi Health Jobs brand continuing to grow. The vision for Kiwi Health Jobs is “To be New Zealand’s number one health specific job site by 30 June 2013”.

The national GMs HR group is the sponsor. Gavin Woolley, GM HR Taranaki DHB is the lead GM HR who drives the work on behalf of the group. Together with Gavin a project team comprised of regional recruitment representatives oversee the planning and ongoing development of KHJ. The team includes Don Fulford (Auckland DHB), Meredith Woodsford (Canterbury DHB),

Amanda Stewart (NZBS), Christine Wood (Midlands DHB), Laura Austin (Taranaki DHB) and Allison Plumridge from DHB Shared Services who is the project manager for KHJ.

healthAlliance has been on board with Kiwi Health Jobs from inception. Rachael Allan and Corinne Smith from the healthAlliance HR & Communications team provide day to day support and design work in-house. Gavin Woolley says “it is great bringing together the DHBs, NZBS and Shared Services on Kiwi Health Jobs. By working in collaboration, we are able to offer candidates, both locally and internationally the most opportunities within the health sector all in one place. This makes it easy for all candidates to find the ideal job in the NZ health sector”.

Kiwi Health Jobs is certainly an exciting partnership to be involved in, one in which healthAlliance is proud to be part of.

Growth for Kiwi Health Jobs

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I was recently invited to be one of two Plastic and Craniofacial Surgeons involved with the first Craniofacial mission to the southern Philippines province of Mindanao organised by Operation Smile Australia and supported by Operation Smile Phillipines-Mindanao. Our objective was to work with the local Plastic Surgeons and Neurosurgeons to treat complex congenital craniofacial disorders.

We operated on a number of patients who had frontal encephalocoeles. A frontal encephalocoele is a condition where abnormal brain tissue herniates through into the face and occurs before birth. This causes significant social and personal distress for the patient and family despite the fact that most children are otherwise normally developed. It is a complex process to treat these patients. It requires an operation that combines Plastic Surgery and Neurosurgery to remove the abnormal tissue and restore the face to a more normal appearance. Typically this surgery has

to be performed in a specialised hospital which is usually in developed countries. The children and parents are required to travel out of their country and stay at least a month for recovery. This mission was special as we were able to treat these patients in their home country with their own families at their sides with much of the longer term follow-up performed by the local surgeons.

I was one of two volunteers from New Zealand with another Kiwi from Wellington who is a neurosurgeon. The remainder of the 12 strong team was from Australia including the Plastic Surgery Team Leader, an Intensivist, an Anaesthetist and intensive care nurses.

I enjoy volunteering my time for these international initiatives. It is rewarding to be able to use the knowledge and skills I have acquired in my training and current work to help children from less advantaged backgrounds. I enjoy working with the medical staff from Operation Smile

Operation Smile

Left to right: Pre-op Breanna : Breanna is a four year old girl born with a naso-ethmoidal encephalocoele. She is a normal little girl who likes drawing. Breanna’s CT scan : this shows the connection where the abnormal part of the brain herniates into the face. Breanna post-op 3 weeks later.

Left: Intra-operative team working (from the left) Pam operating theatre nurse, Davao, Phillipines. Mr Jonathan Wheeler, Plastic Surgeon, Auckland, New Zealand. Dr Jocelyn Lledo, Plastic Surgery Resident, Manila, Phillipines. Dr Cembrano, (with head-light), Plastic Surgeon, Davao, Phillipines. Mr Wickremesekera, Neurosurgeon, Wellington, New Zealand Right: Breanna and her Mum with Christian (another patient) in the post-op ward.

Phillipines and we all share a common bond of professionalism and commitment to the safe care of these patients with craniofacial conditions.

If you would like to find out further information about Operation Smile, please visit the website: www.operationsmile.com.au

Mr Jonathan Wheeler.

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Each year the Director of Nursing and the Director of Midwifery at Counties Manukau District Health Board host an Awards afternoon to celebrate excellence within our professions. This is a time where we acknowledge individuals from across the organisation who have shown excellence in clinical practice, clinical leadership or both, as well as contributing to quality initiatives that have contributed to improved patient safety and outcomes.

The Awards ceremony was held on 9th May just prior to International Nurses Day on 12th May and just after International Day of the Midwife on 5th May. The theme for International Nurses Day 2012 was “Closing the Gap: From Evidence to Action” and the theme for International Day of the Midwife was “Midwives Save Lives”

There were a number of categories of awards presented to both registered nurses and midwives and support staff, in recognition of their excellent contribution to nursing/midwifery. Each award included representation from the following areas - General Nursing, Midwifery, Mental Health and Primary Healthcare & Community.

Staff brought along family and friends to the afternoon/evening and it was standing room only as the ceremony began. We were fortunate to have Sir Mansel Aylward from Wales as our guest speaker for the evening. Sir Mansel took us back to the early years of nursing around the time of Florence Nightingale. Sir Mansel spoke of some other unsung heroines of that time including Edith Cavill from Britain and Mary Jane Seacole from Jamaica. Nurses who lived for their calling and whose lives greatly shortened still inspire many new nurses today. It was wonderful have

to Sir Mansel share with us and also to have his wife Angela with us for the evening.

After the awards many stayed back for a

light supper and took the time out to chat to colleagues, congratulate others and generally network and socialise.

The SHIVERS projectThe SHIVERS project (Southern Hemisphere Influenza and Vaccine Effectiveness Research and Surveillance) is a five year ESR-led collaborative study funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The SHIVERS study is investigating the possible causes of severe acute respiratory infections in patients admitted to hospitals in Auckland. This includes ICU admission patients and deaths caused by influenza and other respiratory pathogens.

The study will help us understand how different viruses, especially influenza and bacteria, contribute to severe respiratory illness in New Zealand. It will also help New Zealand prepare for any future influenza outbreaks. In addition, information obtained from this study will contribute to international scientific knowledge

about influenza and other respiratory infections.The SHIVERS study will be conducted

throughout the winter ‘flu season’, commencing on 1st May 2012. The hospitals involved in the study include Auckland City Hospital, Starship Children’s Hospital, Middlemore Hospital and Kidz First Children’s Hospital.

Any patient admitted to Auckland or Middlemore Hospitals with an acute respiratory illness can take part in the study. The study involves analysis of a swab taken of the inside of the patient’s nose, as well as an interview of the patient conducted by a research nurse. Research nurses will also gather and record patient’s influenza vaccination and general health background. Participation in the study is voluntary, and verbal patient consent will be

obtained prior to enrolment in the study. ADHB and CMDHB are the study sites and

major collaborators. Other major collaborative partners include the Universities of Auckland and Otago, the WHO Collaborating Centre at St Judes Children’s Hospital in the USA and CDC.

For queries about the SHIVERS project, please contact CCRep (09) 270 9758.

This study has been approved by the CMDHB Research Committee and the Northern X Ethics Committee.

The Centre for Clinical Research and effective practice is a charitable trust whose key objectives are to undertake, conduct and promote clinical research, evidence-based practice and educational initiatives within the South Auckland region.

Nursing & midwifery awards

Above Left to Right: Nga (Ngatepaeru) Marsters for the self-employed Midwife award, Toía Fereti, Pacific Nursing Award, Letitia Taihia for Pacific Midwife Award and presenter Elizabeth Powell, Director of Pacific Development.

Left: Leaders and sponsors of CMDHB Nursing & Midwifery Awards Denise Kivell, Director of Nursing (left) and Thelma Thompson, Director of Midwifery. Right: Pam Hill, Winner District Nursing Service Award (left) - who is the other person?

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www.whiteribbon.org.nz

White Ribbon Day25 November

SHOW YOU’REAGAINST VIOLENCETOWARDS WOMEN

Every year the White Ribbon Day Campaign on 25th November receives growing support at CMDHB. Last year was no exception; CMDHB managed to raise its largest donation thus far, for this Campaign. This is with huge thanks to the generous support from our patients, visitors and employees alike. The chosen recipient for CMDHB’s 2011 WRD donations was Shakti Community Council Inc., and they were humbled to receive the donation for their invaluable services. A cheque for $929.20 was presented to the organisation at a celebratory morning tea on 7th February, hosted by the Violence Intervention Team at CMDHB.

The White Ribbon Campaign which was started by a men’s movement in Canada in 1991, following a tragic massacre of fourteen young

women in Montreal. Two years after the massacre a small group of Canadian men responded by launching the White Ribbon Campaign. In an effort to evoke a personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls, this was symbolized by the wearing of a simple white ribbon. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness, promote discussion as well as provide information and resources to support personal and collective action. This campaign supports ‘The World Health Organisation (WHO) Policy – Approaches to engaging men and boys in achieving gender equality and health equity’.

With the hugely diverse cultural population living in the Counties Manukau DHB region, it made sense to have Shakti Community Council Inc.

White Ribbon Day campaign update

The SHIVERS project

as our recipient for the White Ribbon Campaign in 2011. Shakti is a support group that was set up by ethnic women, for ethnic women to help overcome barriers relating to migration, and break the bonds of cultural oppression. Shakti’s mission is to facilitate and ensure good health and overall well-being of New Zealand’s migrant and refugee communities, whilst taking into consideration cultural appropriateness. Their vision corresponds with the White Ribbon Campaign, which focuses on eliminating violence within communities, promoting gender equity and bringing about social change.

The experience or threat of violence has a devastating impact on the lives of women everywhere, cutting across boundaries of wealth, race and culture. Further to this experience is the 30 – 60% co-occurrence of partner and child abuse, having subsequent effects on children which can include depression, developmental problems, aggressive and delinquent behaviour, to name a few.

We all need to play a crucial role in confronting family violence, and to be committed to working together in making positive changes, not only for ourselves but for our children and the generations to come.

The Violence Intervention Programme team would like to thank everyone for their continuing support of the campaign, and for the invaluable organisations like Shakti that rely on the generosity and compassion of others.

Thank you…..

The latest UK forecast is for 20,000 too many doctors and Canada is having over-supply issues too.

Thousands of junior doctors and medical students in the UK could have to take jobs overseas as the cash-strapped NHS faces an oversupply of 20,000 doctors, according to a recent article in the Financial Times.

The FT reports that the Department of Health warns in a report that the number of medical students and junior doctors on track to qualify as candidates for consultant posts is set to swell from about 40,000 today to more than 60,000 by the end of the decade.

Experts are warning that candidates for consultant posts may have to find jobs in Eastern Europe or New Zealand or accept lower-paid posts than the ones they have spent 15 years training for.

The current situation has arisen in part from the boom-and-bust nature of NHS funding, coupled with deliberate moves by previous governments to increase numbers of doctors and medical students.

The implications of the report by the Centre for Workforce Intelligence are being debated by

NHS managers, medical colleges and the British Medical Association.

One commentator said that urgent action was needed to “stop the stupidity of people qualifying for jobs that aren’t going to exist”.

The health department said the government would “welcome a debate that looks at how hospitals can change the way they work”, in an effort to absorb at least part of the oversupply.

Talks at a European Union level to develop “some sort of managed programme of movement”, under which junior doctors would embark on a “one to three year sojourn” in countries where their services were in short supply.

The highest vacancy rates for doctors are in eastern European countries, but other options include Australia and New Zealand, the Financial Times reported.

There are problems in workforce planning of a different kind in Canada. Tense labour negotiations between the Minister of Health and Ontario’s doctors appear to have reached an impasse according to recent reports.

A conciliator has been brought in to help the two parties reach an agreement after repeated

requests by the Ontario Medical Association. But the Minister insisted that doctors must

agree to a wage freeze and set an immediate deadline to reach a new labour agreement.

The two sides have been battling it out for some time with the cash-strapped government insisting that it cannot afford any new funding increases for doctors as it faces a $15-billion deficit.

The Minister, Deb Matthews, said she is determined to transform their health care system, which requires doctors to do their part and accept a wage freeze.

The minority Liberal government is demanding the same from all broader public sector workers, including teachers, nurses and civil servants. They have also threatened to legislate the pay freeze if all other options at the negotiating table fail.

The doctors said they offered to freeze doctors’ fees for two years and find an additional $250-million in savings, but the Minister rejected the proposal.

Instead, the government is threatening to unilaterally cut fees that doctors are paid if they refuse to absorb the costs and has signalled plans to table regulatory changes to do so.

Too many doctors?

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Singing the Blues awayThe last thing on six Auckland Blues players’ minds was their on-field performance when they visited Kidz First Children’s Hospital recently. Blues captain Keven Mealamu, also a father, was humbled when he met Keshell Riddles, 13, of Pukekohe in one of Kidz First’s playrooms. Keshell had undergone a serious ear operation, but rather than complaining she smiled

Students from Pakuranga College have donated their pocket money to help kids in need, raising more than $5,000.

A bulk of the money came from a mufti day. Sebastian Hartley, a year 13 student, said he pulled on fellow pupils’ heartstrings by making a poster with five unidentified premature babies to make everyone realise how important their donation was.

Another group of students decided to host a charity auction to gain credits in their business class. Alex Thorburn, Kaajal Maharaj, Heidi Strajnar and Niklas Hansen approached businesses around Auckland for donations of products and services, which were sold off by guest auctioneer and actress Beth Allen, who plays Dr Brooke Freeman on Shortland Street.

The combined donation will be used to buy five oxygen-analysers for Kidz First Neonatal Unit and a Neopuff used for the resuscitation of newborn babies.

“We felt that Kidz First Children’s Hospital does a lot of incredible things to help the community deserved a bit more recognition and support from members of the community,” Heidi says.

Left: Blues captain Keven Mealamu loved playing board games with Keshell Riddles.Right: Daniel Braid gave Brianna McCullough, seven, signed a Blues hat he had gifted her.

Our leaders of tomorrow

Sebastian Hartley, a Kauri house leader at Pakuranga College, presenting Michelle Kidd, from South Auckland Health Founda-tion, with a cheque.

sweetly and thrashed Keven twice in a board game called Trouble.

“Yes, we are going through some tough times on the field in the Blues but for some of these children they’re really going through tough times in this hospital, what the Blues have been going through just doesn’t compare,” Keven said.

Dora Leesha Henry, one, was another patient who didn’t care about the Blues points table, rather cuddling with lock Steven Luatua.

Most of the Blues players found the experience uplifting at a time when they needed rallying.

“They’re all going through tough times at the moment and you can tell on the parents’ faces that it’s been hard for them, but if we can put a smile on their faces that makes us feel good too,’ Rudi Wulf said.

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The Original Art Sale Gala Charity Preview was an evening to remember and raised more than $6,000 for Kidz First Children’s Hospital.

For the sixth year in a row, Richard Jeffery, CEO of Manukau’s TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, and his team hosted a soiree with ticket proceeds donated to South Auckland Health Foundation and Kidz First.

The generous donation will be used for the Get Warm Counties Manukau initiative to retro-

fit insulate the homes of low-income Counties Manukau families with children who have high health needs.

Many well-known faces were in attendance, including Mayor of Auckland Len Brown, TV personality Susan Wood and former Auckland mayor Dick Hubbard and his wife, Diana. Mayor Brown praised South Auckland Health Foundation for supporting the services at Middlemore Hospital and Kidz First.

Tickets cost $49 and guests were treated to wine, hors d’oeuvres and a live performance by hip-hop dance crew Sorority.

South Auckland Health Foundation has received more than $26,000 from The Original Art Sale Gala Charity Preview evenings over six years. The money has been used to purchase essential resources, including hearing equipment for children and an infant warmer.

Diane McEntee, South Auckland Health Foundation’s Wool Programme co-ordinator, asked more than 100 knitters at a recent Knitter Natter morning tea to keep knitting, crocheting or sewing beanies, booties, cardigans, jackets, soft toys and blankets to keep vulnerable babies warm as temperatures drop. Cassie Moody, the President of the Catholic Women’s League, and her friend Cynthia Crick have both devoted 27 years to knitting for the babies of Counties Manukau. “I like the comradeship with the women who knit,” Cassie explained. Cynthia agreed. “We were brought up in an era where we learnt to knit and sew and that has continued.”

Our current need is for full-term baby clothing, especially beanies and booties.

If you would like to help kids in Counties Manukau join the wool programme by visiting www.sahf.org.nz.

Urgent winter request

Cassie Moody and Cynthia Crick have been knitting for Middlemore Hospital and Kidz First Children’s Hospital for 27 years.

Volunteer knitters have been urged to keep up their efforts as stocks of homemade clothes, blankets and toys dwindle ahead of the busiest time of the year – winter

Art for charities' sake

Artist Anita Madhav has exhibited her work at The Original Art Sale for several years and loves the charity night.

Mayor Len Brown and TelstraClear Pacific CEO Richard Jeffery shared speaking duties at the gala evening.

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Cyber security awareness weekNetSafe ran the country's first ever Cyber Security Awareness Week (CSAW) this June to promote free advice and information to consumers and small busi-nesses as part of the government’s Cyber Security Strategy.

It’s estimated that cyber crime cost New Zealand $625 million in 2011 (Norton Cyber Crime 2011 re-port) as more and more people make use of internet technologies and use computer systems as part of their everyday lives for work and play.

More than 2000 adult New Zealanders are affected by cyber crime every day in the form of computer viruses and malware, credit card fraud, online scams, phishing and identity theft:•TheaveragelossreportedtoNetSafe’sOrb

website (www.theorb.org.nz) in 2011 was almost $4300.

•Theaveragesecurityincidentreportedbybusi-nesses to the 2010 NZ Computer Crime and Security Survey was $15,000.The NetSafe Cyber Security Initiative (NCSI) – the

membership group behind the programme com-prised of government and industry leaders – is one part of the published Cyber Security Strategy (http://www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/technology-communication/cyber-security) that aims to equip consumers and small businesses with the skills and resources to reduce the number of cyber incidents and money lost each year.

The national awareness raising programme took place 11 - 15 June 2012 and a new dedicated cyber security website (www.securitycentral.org.nz) was launched by Minister Amy Adams.

NetSafe’s key themes for the programme are: •Updateeverything

Make sure your operating system and all software

is up to date including common helper programs such as Java, Adobe Reader and Flash•Backupyourfiles

Make several copies of important data and store it in several locations – including online ‘in the cloud’ – so you’re prepared should the worst to happen to your computer.•Useasecurewirelessnetwork

Choose a strong encryption setting and long passphrase for your router to avoid eavesdropping, hacking and freeloaders using your bandwidth.•Usestrongpasswords

Aim for 15 characters and a mix of lower and up-per case letters and symbols. Don’t share them and change them regularly.

“These are basic computer security procedures,” says Chris Hails, NetSafe’s cyber security specialist who is overseeing the programme.

“Unfortunately, we know from the hundreds of calls, emails and Orb reports we get from the public every month that many peo-ple haven’t yet implemented them and as a result are having their email and social networking accounts hacked, their computers infected with malware or losing important business records with no way to recover the data.”

“Our research undertaken last year showed that many Kiwis just don’t know where to begin when it comes to computers or how to find reliable information.

We hope that the week's

events will get people talking about the issues and taking simple steps to improve their home and busi-ness security”.

The programme is a joint partnership between government and industry with 10 agencies and eight corporate partners involved including Google, HP, McAfee, Microsoft, MSN, Sophos, Symantec and Trade Me.

“We have also signed up almost a third of the top 100 largest employers in the country to help get the message out to staff and customers. It’s important that everyone in the country who uses a computer is doing the Net Basics,” says Hails.

You can read more computer security advice and follow the week’s activities at www.securitycentral.org.nz and www.facebook.com/netsafe.

NetSafe will be profiling organisations taking part in the cyber security week and we encourage individuals and businesses to post to our Facebook wall and to tweet using the hashtag ‘#csawnz’.

The data collected from the quiz showed that more than 100 people visited the stall. Most were females aged between 30 to 49 years and more

European and Chinese visited our stall than any other ethnic groups.

About 80% of the people who filled in the form said they knew more about the services that CMDHB Mental Health Services provide after visiting our stall and 91% said they would contact us if they or someone they know experiences mental health issues in the future.

86% said they would like to see CMDHB Mental Health Services promoting its services in similar events in the future as it is good for the public to know what is available and where to get help.

The responses received tell us there is a need for CMDHB Mental Health Services to promote its services to the public and we hope by doing this we can improve the access rate to mental health service among

our population.

Improving public access to mental health services is always a priority for CMDHB.

The public not accessing our services and not knowing the services we provide is one of the major barriers. In order to address this barrier, mental health teams have started promoting their services at various public events.

Te Rawhiti Community Mental Health Centre, with support from Martha Kim (a Korean nurse who works at Tiaho Mai inpatient unit), promoted its services at the Botany Town Centre in March this year.

A quiz prize draw was used as an attraction on the day to help people overcome the stigma attached with finding out information from a mental health services. It also helped the team gather a demographic profile to help with planning future promotions.

Improving public access to mental health services

The Te Rawhiti Community Mental Health Centre team promoting their services in Botany Town Centre.

Do four thingstoday to improveyour computer security

update everythingbackup your filessecure your wireless networkuse strong passwords

NetSafe has been helping New Zealanders stay safe online for over a decade.

The NetSafe Cyber Security Initiative (NCSI) is a partnership between government and industry to provide simple computer security advice so everyone can protect themselves online.

Home internet users and small business owners can get more free information at www.securitycentral.org.nz

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Counties Manukau DHB is at the forefront of a new regional campaign aimed at improving patient safety.

The First, Do No Harm campaign is common to all four DHBs in the Northern Region but CMDHB has a head-start due to the success of our embedded Aiming for Zero Patient Harm campaign.

The regional campaign allows other DHBs – as well as primary care and age-related residential care – to learn from the experiences of Middlemore clinicians who are already well-advanced on the patient safety improvement journey.

This ‘learning together’ approach prevents wasteful duplication of effort and helps deliver common systems across the region.

One initiative credited with a sharp decline in patient falls with major harm is the introduction of the Morse falls risk assessment tool.

This is considered particularly topical due to the need for vigilance about patient risk assessment as soon as possible after admission heading into the busy winter months.

Since the Morse tool was introduced in mid-2011, staff have been able to detect and respond to potential falls issues more quickly and effectively.

“Initially, we did see total falls rate numbers increase as the new tool came in but now the number of falls resulting in moderate-to-serious harm is down by approximately 50 per cent,” says Simon Kerr, Clinical Leader of CMDHB’s Falls Prevention Group.

The Morse tool, named after US falls prevention expert Janice Morse, allows a more detailed and patient-specific approach to falls prevention.

Common issues with the old tool included lack of uniform usage and examples of it not being applied appropriately.

“Thresholds were artificially high under the old system but now we see a more accurate assessment of risk and this allows us to use targeted interventions.

Leading the way on patient safety

“We can never totally remove the risk of patients falling because we want to protect their right to independence but the Morse tool is proving very effective and we would recommend it to other DHBs.

“We’ve seen an increase in falls reporting, a subsequent decrease in the overall falls rate and the rate of patients being harmed in falls has halved.

“We still get the occasional ‘bad’ month but we are now moving into a phase where we are focusing on ensuring patients don’t experience major harm if they do fall.”

This includes the use of non-slip socks, hip protector pads and investigating retro-fitting old hospital buildings with newer equipment such as non-slip, impact-absorbing flooring where this is feasible, cost-effective and doesn’t pose a risk of injury to staff.

The Morse risk assessment tool is now part of the orientation process for all new CMDHB nursing staff and this, combined with a proactive training package rollout, has seen a ‘snowball effect’ in terms of acceptance among staff.

The benefits for patients are clear – falls are down to three per 1000 bed days (this has been as high as 3.8) and falls resulting in major harm are down to around 0.08 per 1000 bed days (having been as high as 0.5).

The Counties Manukau team is keen for other DHBs to share their learnings and experiences over the patient safety improvement journey to help minimise risks to their own patients.

“It’s worth doing. It’s hard work and it often seems like you’re never going to win,” says Simon.

“But you have to remember that every improvement is a step in the right direction and it means a lot to patients and their families.”

FIRSTDO NO HARM

safer caret o g e t h e r

www.firstdonoharm.org.nz

Simon Kerr, Clinical Leader of CMDHB’s Falls Prevention Group with Heather Robertson with an example of the Morse tool.

CONNECT I PAGE 10

What are eReferrals?Waitemata, Counties Manukau and Auckland District Health Boards are introducing a system to enable referrals to be sent electronically to all six hospitals in the Auckland region, improving the quality of care for patients.

The aim of the eReferrals project is to ensure that all patients in the Auckland Region are referred to the right practitioner with the right information at the right time, and receive the right response. eReferrals will improve information transfer between primary and secondary care providers by reducing duplication and minimising errors that occur through incomplete information or lost referrals. It also means that GPs can spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients.

eReferrals Rolling OutThe deployment of eReferrals in general practice is steaming ahead, with one third of eligible GP practices in the Auckland metro region now LIVE.

Rollout is being implemented over six months. Each practice in each group has received information from healthLink on the installation process, the technical requirements and release notes about the system.

healthLink are leading the deployment and are ready to guide and assist each site to get configured and up and running with eReferrals.

The healthLink eReferrals Deployment Team can be contacted on 0800 288 885 or helpdesk@healthlink.net

PHO EngagementEach PHO has nominated a Support person

eReferrals updateProgress to date

Date eReferrals Received GP Practices Live % of GP Practices Live

06/06/12 4277 170 49%

or team who is liaising with healthLink and the eReferrals project team to provide additional support and follow-up. When the healthLink Deployment team is unable to complete an installation for any non-technical reason, the PHO nominated person or persons will contact the practice directly and walk through the issues and logistics. Practices can direct usage questions to their PHO support person who will provide the necessary training and follow-up. In addition to this PHO support, our Website has a range of training

documents and videos.

Usage Reporting by DHB and ServiceeReferrals is providing an insight into referring activity across the region, as seen in the chart below. Reporting is also being developed for PHOs and general practice to support the continued uptake of eReferrals.

QueriesIf you have any questions about the project, please email at ereferrals@healthalliance.co.nz or visit our Website: http://www.ereferrals.co.nz

Patient information sharing between Northern Region DHBs took a step closer on May 26 when around 700,000 CMDHB documents were made available for viewing and sharing electronically to WDHB as part of the Regional Clinical Documents (RCD) project.

WDHB’s patient records were made available in January via the Éclair repository and ADHB’s are soon to follow, completing the loop for all three Auckland metro DHBs.

heathAlliance IS Project Manager Russell Neal is delighted with the outcome after several years of effort involving a large number of DHB and

healthAlliance staff.“It will have a positive impact

on patient care as clinicians access patient information from different locations faster and more accurately,” he said.

NDHB has also been provided access to Éclair and Auckland Hospital’s EDSs. Work to provide access for GPs, community pharmacy and radiology is underway along with data migration from the existing Northland CDR to Éclair.

Scott McKee IS Communications Advisor, healthAlliance. 021 405 127, scott.mckee@healthalliance.co.nz

Upcoming events Te Kaahui Ora, Maaori Health would like to invite you to share in the celebrations of our up and coming events.

MATARIKI CELEBRATIONSThursday, 21 June. 10am – 2pm Information Foyer, Middlemore HospitalAnd Friday, 22 June. 10am – 2pm Main Entrance, Manukau SuperClinic

TE WIKI O TE REO MAAORI (MAAORI LANGUAGE WEEK)Monday, 23 July. 10am – 2pmMain Entrance, Manukau SuperClinicAnd Friday, 27 July. 10am – 2pm Information Foyer, Middlemore Hospital

For further information, please contact: Petra Hape Phone: (09) 276 0138 Email: Petra.Hape@middlemore.co.nz.

We look forward to celebrating with the staff and community of CMDHB.

Regional Clinical Documents takes another step forward

CONNECT I PAGE 11

Top: Esmé and her granddaughter Katherine 'Esmé' Green. Above: Esmé with winners of the Esmé Green Nursing Scholarships (L to R) Olivia Gass Stephenson, Esmé Green, Johanna McCamish.

Esmé Green nursing scholarshipsEsmé Green is a retired Registered Nurse, who was Middlemore Hospitals first Trainee Nurse in 1947. Esmé has established a fund, to be made available through the South Auckland Health foundation, for Registered Nurses.

Esmé very generously gives scholarships each year from her fund. The applicants must be nurses on staff at CMDHB working in a clinical setting who consistently show and maintain the tradition of good nursing practice at the bedside – holistic practice with quality outcomes for their patients.

These practices will encompass quality time at the bedside, using good communication skills,

being respectful and maintaining patient’s dignity, empathy of patient needs, treating people with compassion whilst demonstrating excellent nursing practice and showing professionalism in patient approach and presentation.

As Esmé says – treat people just as she would like to be treated if she were one of her patients, or if you were a patient yourself

Esmé was in fine form at the awards, bringing along her daughter Katherine “Esmé” Green for the evening. Esme’s granddaughter ready out a lovely poem and words as she said started by Mother Theresa and finished by Esmé.

Life is an opportunity, benefit from itLife is beauty, admire itLife is bliss, taste itLife is a dream, realise itLife is a challenge, meet itLife is a duty, complete itLife is a game, play itLife is a promise, fulfil itLife is sorrow, overcome itLife is song, sing it Mother Theresa

Life is respect, yourself first and you will respect othersLife is honesty, smile and it will be returned to youLife is sadness, This is not an attack on our emotions – but a normal response in our livesLife is a road, which we all travel on but in different directions

L Living each dayI Making these days InterestingF Care of Family and FriendsE Each day giving thanks

Wishing you the time of your life and so – Life is what you and I make it

Esmé Green

1

All in a Day

Day S

urgery

Nurse

s’ Special Interest Group

2012 Conference

Saturday 28 July 2012Waipuna Conference Centre, Auckland

Registration Brochure

Critcal DatesOnline Registration Live Monday 2 April 2012Call for Abstracts Deadline Monday 14 May 2012Earlybird Registration Deadline Tuesday 5 June 2012 Accommodation Deadline Monday 25 June 2012Online Registration Deadline Monday 16 July 2012Conference Saturday 28 July 2012

Conference ManagerDonna Clapham p +64 9 917 3653 f +64 9 917 3651PO Box 17130, Greenlane Central, Auckland 1156, New Zealanddonna.clapham@workz4u.co.nz www.workz4uconferences.co.nz

Online Registration www.daystayconference.org.nz